Amazing Books & Records opens new South Side branch

Zach Landau | A&E Editor As its name suggests, AB&R features both books and records, with the latter running down the length of the store.

Zach Landau | A&E Editor

On June 29, a new chapter for one local business began in the South Side.

Amazing Books & Records, a Pittsburgh-based bookstore, opened a new branch on East Carson Street. Situated between Copies at Carson and Glassworx, co-owner Eric Ackland hopes that the new store will be a linchpin for a burgeoning writing community in Pittsburgh.

According to the chain’s website, Ackland aims to provide different offerings, including a vegan cafe and a selection of greeting cards, to help entice customers and writers.

Part of Ackland’s endeavors is to start Steel Quill Writers Workshop, an educational group for new writers. Classes will be taught by professional writers and cover a variety of topics, such as novel writing and poetry. They will be offered “at community college costs” and will begin by October.

“There are so many talented professional writers in Pittsburgh,” Ackland writes on the site. “And we want to create positions that can sustain and keep them here.”

AB&R is also hoping to garner some community support through a membership drive. Framed as similar to drives run by public radio and TV, membership with the bookstore will entitle customers to discounts on their purchases, as well as Steel Quill classes.

Ackland also states that 10% of funds from this campaign will go to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Zach Landau | A&E Editor A greeting card and gift shop, Dandelion Cards, is also featured in the store. It and Serendipity Cafe, an entirely vegan cafe, are part of the new AB&R branch.